The High Court in Eastern Equatoria State on Monday acquitted and released the former Ikotos county commissioner, Cirillo Akoyo after he was found not guilty of murder.
Akoyo was last month arrested for allegedly killing a young man.
Peter Muyoyo, a defense lawyer for the suspect, said all charges levelled against the former commissioner were based on hearsay.
“What happened was that the issue reached the court and during investigations the court said most of the things are hearsay and in the law, we believe in evidence. All the allegations levelled against the former commissioner did not have evidence,” he said.
The defense lawyer confirmed the release of the former commissioner.
He, however, said his client would open a case of defamation against those who had falsely accused him of murdering a person.
“People who opened this case will be held accountable. We will open a case so that the former commissioner recovers his powers as commander in the army and politician,” said Muyoyo.
Akoyo has confirmed his release and maintained he was innocent.
“The things levelled against me like killing a person was not true. The county has been peaceful ever since I took oath and started serving people. I don’t know why people want to spoil my name. I answered everything and all allegations were false,” he explained.
Morris Ladu Wani, the county Executive Director welcomed court’s decision to acquit the former commissioner of the murder charges.
He said decision to arrest Akoyo came during a security meeting.
“That was not my own decision, it came during a security meeting. There is no problem between me and the commissioner,” said Ladu.
He added, “Well, if you want to open defamation case, then all the security members have to be called to come and give their views.”